Disney gets down with Halloween

The band performs in the Halloween version of the Mad T Party, a nighttime, dance celebration at Disney California Adventure. The seasonal version of Mad T Party runs on weekends through October.COURTESY OF THE DISNEYLAND RESORT

ANAHEIM – Disney parks started dabbling with the Halloween season 13 years ago when crews first redecorated the Haunted Mansion for the holidays. It became the official Halloween Time in 2006.

Now, this season is the longest one ever, having already started on Friday the 13th and lasting a full 49 days through Oct. 31.

Disneyland and Disney California Adventure include ride overlays, special parties, sweet treats and pumpkin decorations everywhere. Most features are included with admission, but after-hours, trick-or-treat parties require a separate ticket and start later this month.

Unlike other theme parks with gory and scream-inducing mazes and zombies, Disneyland is meant to be spooky and family friendly for Halloween.

Disneyland has housed most features. But the company is trying to bring more of the orange-and-black to the next door park, Disney California Adventure, a little more than a year after the park’s makeover debuted.

A major addition this year is a “seasonal spice” to the Mad T Party, a regular nighttime dance party with an “Alice in Wonderland” theme at Disney California Adventure, said Robin Trowbridge, show director for the Disneyland Resort. The idea is “that something has gotten into the tea at the T Party” with Halloween being the Mad Hatter’s favorite time of the year, Trowbridge said.

The dancers have a Halloween set during the weekend-only parties. The band plays some new songs, including “Dead Man’s Party” and “This is Halloween.” Decorations and lighting include cobwebs and surprises pop out of trees and screens, Trowbridge said.

“The kind of quirky edginess of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ lent to the overlay in a safe, but spooky way,” Trowbridge said.

Here are some other things to do during Halloween season:

Rides: Disneyland gives new looks to two rides.

Space Mountain becomes Ghost Galaxy with projections of ghosts and goblins on the starry sky and growling sounds as passengers zip through space.

Haunted Mansion Holiday gets a theme from Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” each year through New Year’s. For the 13th anniversary, crews added 13 new surprises in the scenes.

Halloween Carnival: Big Thunder Ranch Festival Arena, a section in the back of Frontierland, hosts a carnival with Disney characters in Halloween costumes, activities and entertainment during the daytime. Villains greet visitors in a tent added last year. Pumpkin carvers make intricate jack-o'-lanterns on the spot.

Visitors can pay extra for pirate makeovers, including Jake from “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” ranging from $29.95 to $34.95, in the Pirates League section.

Decorations: Main Street, U.S.A. becomes a Pumpkin Festival with hundreds of pumpkins on display and a key photo spot in Town Square near the entrance.

A Dia de los Muertos skeleton display sits in front of the Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante in Frontierland.

Mickey’s Halloween Party: Disneyland added two extra nights to its popular after-hours, trick-or-treat events, making for a total of 13 parties that require a separate ticket. The first party is Sept. 27. As of last week, one of the nights was already sold out.

It’s the only place where visitors can see a “cavalcade,” Mickey’s Costume Party, and a themed fireworks show, Halloween Screams. Attendants also can get both sweet and healthy snacks at trick-or-treat stations throughout the park.

New this year is the “Monsters U Dance Party” at Tomorrowland Terrace, where characters Mike and Sulley will dance with guests.

The band performs in the Halloween version of the Mad T Party, a nighttime, dance celebration at Disney California Adventure. The seasonal version of Mad T Party runs on weekends through October. COURTESY OF THE DISNEYLAND RESORT
Halloween Time decorations hang from lamp posts at Disneyland Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Juliana Morena, 7, of Vancouver, BC, poses for a picture with Disney villain Cruella De Vil at the Conjure a Villain tent at Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch on Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Disneyland park goers wait in line for the 13th annual "The Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay for Haunted Mansion Holiday on Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Disneyland park goers relax beneath the shade of the Halloween Tree in Frontierland on Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The, now traditional, giant Mickey Mouse jack-o-lantern towers over Dsineyland park goers on Main Street U.S.A. on Friday. Friday, September 13th marked the official kick-off of the theme park's annual Halloween Time season with new shows, ride overlays and seasonal decorations. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The, now traditional, giant Mickey Mouse jack-o-lantern towers over Dsineyland park goers on Main Street, U.S.A. on Friday. Friday, September 13th marked the official kick-off of the theme park's annual Halloween Time season with new shows, ride overlays and seasonal decorations. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kristin Davidson and daughter Lila, 1 1/2, pose for pictures with Disney villain Cruella De Vil at the Conjure a Villain tent at Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch on Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Disneyland park goers wait in line for the 13th annual "The Nightmare Before Christmas" overlay Haunted Mansion Holiday on Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Billy Hill and the Hillbillies' musicians play with seasonal costumes at Disneyland's Big Thunder Ranch on Friday. JOSHUA SUDOCK, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.